Author: oceandelight

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A Wake at Last

Yesterday was a good – make that great – day in the Wonderful World of Whiteway – and one that I was afraid wouldn’t happen for us. It was the official kick-off of 10 more days of the food fishery (where individuals are allowed a small quota of fish each day) and boat troubles that have been plaguing us for the past several weeks made me worried we wouldn’t be able to go out and enjoy it.

But with a great thanks to Alf and Randy Peddle, we converted the boat from two Johnson motors to one 225 HP Yamaha! It was a challenging job made harder by the fact that shaft was 4 inches too short. We had to put an extension on the back of the boat at Woodman’s Welding shop in New Harbour. Craig Newhook and Sam Pitcher are experts and made the bracket in record time – which is just about how much time we had!

So we were able to join our neighbours and all the little boats of Newfoundland that took to the water …. and I caught the first fish – take that, Berry!

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A Lovely Evening with Lovely Guests

Meet Chuck and Michelle, a couple that spent a week in The Partridgeberry. They’re from Michigan, but Michelle has roots both in Arizona and Newfoundland (her mother married a Yank). They were great fun, and in their week here they exemplified how any trip is what you make of it.  Michelle loves meeting new people, so she spent her time getting to know everyone. Chuck wanted to ‘do stuff’ and found no shortage of that – if you remember, it was Chuck who shot the footage of Leslie for us last week.

They were a joy to have around and came over for dinner on their last night. Lucky us – we got to enjoy Joe Friday’s unmatched cod au gratin, steaks, and great company over a wonderful sunset. We can’t wait for them to come back!

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True Love

Here’s Ted and Dianna, a truly sweet and truly inspirational couple from Washington state. At the tender ages of 86 and 87 (not saying which is which, but let’s just say Ted robbed the cradle!), Ted and Dianna just hopped a train in Seattle and rode it to Vancouver, then switched to VIA and rode it to Toronto, then boarded a plane and took it to St. John’s, then rented a car and drove it to the Wonderful World of Whiteway. Most couples half their age wouldn’t have contemplated such a journey! They’re about as far away as they can get from ‘home’ and still be in North America.

Ted was a Yale graduate, got a job with a Wall Street law firm and hated it. He became a teacher and headmaster and loved it. Dianna was a flower child and it’s impossible not to fall in love with her free spirit.

I’ve never met a nicer couple. They have been married for 65 years. Ted sketches and writes a journal, and in the evenings he reads it to Dianna over a glass of wine.

I love them and we loved having them! They really are an example of true love and living well – and don’t we all need to see more of that these days!

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Cupid’s near Heart’s Delight!

Another couple honeymooning to their hearts’ delight at Heart’s Delight! Becky and Brennan are from Nova Scotia and wanted to come to the island to kick off their great journey together. They stayed the first night in our 104 Springdale Street Character Home and then spent two more nights in Heart’s Delight at The Gannet. They borrowed the ATV, used the fishing poles, hiked along the trails, and just loved their time here.

The Berry put together a little basket for them and Joe Friday donated a bottle of his famous wine and a rose – he’s a real softie at heart!

Becky and Brennan said they would be back and will bring friends the next time. We certainly would love to see them again, and regardless wish this sweet couple a lifetime of happiness.

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Bingo Calling

Before coming to the Wonderful World of Whiteway, I hadn’t played Bingo in about 45 years, I think. And even here, game night was starting to fade, and there was talk of shutting it down. There was talk, that is, until Hilda, The Queen of Bingo herself, got actively involved. She found ways to cut expenses and promote it, even volunteering to call it herself.

We went a night she was calling, Laurelyn made $20, and we had a lot of fun – so much so we went back the week after. This time, LL was one number away from winning the $500 jackpot. I’m almost glad she didn’t win – she likes to brag when she beats me. Luckily, that never happens … OK! OK! Maybe it happened once during the fishing season … OK! OK! Maybe it was every time she went out with me! I let her win!

But bingo is back, and Hilda and her rescue committee are to be congratulated. They play every Wednesday at the Rec Centre from 8:30 – 10 PM. Come have some fun.

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Tuesdays With Murphy: In the Doghouse

I hope I haven’t given the impression that just because I live in the Wonderful World of Whiteway, it’s all fun and games out here. I can’t leave my humans alone for 5 minutes without them coming up with some new special project that, of course, I have to supervise. Take The Berry (a.k.a. Miss Kijiji), whose dalliance with online bargain shopping led us to one of our more recent work days – setting up the dog house.

When Jerry, Joe and Alf backed in the trailer, I knew it was ‘go’ time – these men can’t be expected to supervise themselves! Of course, the humans are calling this 6X6 from Mount Pearl a ‘shed,’ but I know what it really is …. four small walls, small roof, set outside in viewing distance from the house – that’s a doghouse if I ever saw one. Maybe it’s a bit bigger than the standard, but I’ve already seen Jerry ‘in the doghouse’ more than once. But not to worry, gentlemen – if your time in the doghouse starts becoming more literal than figurative, you’ll know I’ll be right along beside you to keep you company!

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Love is in the (Ocean) Air

We had another first here at the cottages, of the best kind. Corey proposed to Amanda while staying in The Gannet, and she said ‘yes’ – and we couldn’t be happier for them. We felt blessed to be involved in the process in even a small way. Corey and Amanda were clearly made for each other, their smiles bigger than the diamond, their obvious love for each other making the mood here sweet and electric at the same time. Am I rambling? Don’t blame me – blame it on the young love!

While it’s too early to have set a date yet, we wish Corey and Amanda all the best and hope to see them back. They’ll at least have to send us some wedding photos! 

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Oh! The Sunsets

I’ve already blogged about how my ‘church’ is Nature, specifically watching the sun set, specifically watching the sun set over the ocean. I think it’s the same for The Berry. I got this beautiful shot of her looking out at the sunset in wonder, awe and reflection. I thought it perfectly captured the moment – full of natural beauty (she gets that from her mother), strength and determination (which I hope I share with her). She puts me in mind of Mary from Random Passage (and, if you haven’t seen this movie, you must if you want to know who we Newfoundlanders are as a people).

We are grateful for all that the summer has brought and the lessons learned (we’re now rated number one in hotels in the province on TripAdvisor), but it’s been a lot of hard work. Hard work, and fun, too. We’re a little older, a lot wiser, and looking forward to things slowing down a bit so we can begin planning for our future. And continue enjoying our view every evening.

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Check Out Time

I guess Murphy can’t let a guest go without saying goodbye, so here I am with guest Kim Sparkes as she checks out with her friend, Rob. And what a sweet, hard-working guest she was. Kim is the creator, owner and operator of Whink on Duckworth Street, in St. John’s. She does all her own graphics and promotion, and takes care of everything from buying to pricing to selling to managing. It’s a stunning store, and her website should be up soon – when it is, we’ll let you know.

Of course, The Berry, being a marketer, was impressed with all the creative and superlative work she’s done. But we were both more impressed with her wonderful personality. That’s why it’s fun being a Happy Hotel Manager – you never know what guests will walk through your door!

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Little Story, ’bout Wayne and Diane

We’re grateful for all our guests, of course, and usually get a chance to have a little chat with most of them, even if they’re only staying for a short while. But it’s always especially nice when we get people who stay for awhile – they literally do start to feel like family, and it’s fun seeing them around all the time. Take Wayne and Diane, who spent two weeks at The Puffin. I never saw them without a smile on their faces, which always put a smile on mine.   They took day trips, had family and friends over, had fires and ate outside, and even joined us for our deep-fried turkey on the beach. How’s that for really getting the Ocean Delight welcome?

Here they are with their son, Chris, and his girlfriend Sheila, enjoying a mug-up.  We were sorry to see them go, but they promise to come back next year – and that’s a promise we might have to make sure they keep!